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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Andy Howell

Forgotten Wales star comes within whisker of scoring try of the season after dazzling 83 metres run sees him beat six defenders

As Wales prepare for a World Cup semi-final in Yokohama, one of Warren Gatland's former stars was showing off his own skills 6,000 miles away.

Alex Cuthbert's international career went into freefall two years ago when he made the last of his 49 Test appearances in a win over Georgia.

With Josh Adams, Hallam Amos and Steff Evans breaking through, and George North still first pick on the other wing, Cuthbert has not had a Wales look in since 2017 and wasn't even on Gatland's radar for the World Cup squad.

He left Cardiff Blues for Exeter Chiefs in the summer of 2018, thus disqualified from playing for Wales because he didn't have the required 60 caps for players in exile to be eligible.

Cuthbert, a Test Lion during the 2013 conquest of Australia, had a troubled injury-hit debut season at the crack English Premiership club.

But the 29-year-old, who crossed the whitewash 15 times in his first 28 Tests for Wales, looks back to his best and came close to scoring what would have been one of rugby's greatest tries.

Exeter were trailing 13-10 in the Gallagher Premiership at Bath when Cuthbert caught a box-kick in his 22 and ran back. You can watch what happened next below.

He beat six would-be tacklers during a mesmerising 83metres burst and it seemed he would round off the sensational run by diving over in the corner.

But covering Bath forward Zach Mercer somehow summoned up the energy to make a last-ditch tackle, assisted by substitute Freddie Burns, to force Cuthbert into touch and ensure a home victory.

Bath outside-half Rhys Priestland, who guided Wales to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, said: "We will have to have a look back and see how 'Cuthy' got through.

"I know how good and dangerous he can be. We are just thankful Zach and Freddie managed to stop him in the corner."

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